Golden Anniversary for Afro-American Cultural & Historical Society

Since 1974, the Afro-American Cultural & Historical Society (AACHS), serving Hayward and the Tri-City Area, has provided opportunities “for citizens of African Decent to share [their] history through educational and cultural activities.” Networking, for both economic growth and social engagement, is a key component of the Society’s mission.

As Society historian, Mary Sass wrote that the AACHS was organized in 1974, conceived by Jean Ficklin “as a result of her involvement on the Newark Commission of Social Concerns Committee.” Ficklin saw a need to facilitate and encourage the sharing of African-American culture not only as a goal in itself, but also as a means of educating and edifying the community.

On Sunday June 2, 2024, the Society celebrated its 50th anniversary at Newark Library Plaza. Ficklin, who’s in her early 90s, greeted the crowd of Society friends, parents, past and present Society officials, and local dignitaries, including President of Fremont Board of Education Yajing Zhang, District 2 Councilmember Desrie Campbell, Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Marquez, District 10 State Senator Aisha Wahab, and Fremont Mayor Lily Mei.

Keynote Speaker, Dr. Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua, Ph.D., Professor of Engineering at Ohlone College, is an experienced STEM educator, whose focus is educational equality for underserved groups. Ekeng-Itua herself is a trailblazer, being the first Black woman to receive a doctorate in the field of Cybernetics.

One of the objectives of the Society’s Mission Statement is to “award scholarships to local high school graduates and to sponsor an annual scholarship and graduate program.” In observance of that goal, eight young applicants were chosen to receive awards.

Past Scholarship recipients Lauren Pitcher (2003) and Brian Eady (1992) shared how receiving their awards not only materially helped fund their educational goals, but also instilled the confidence in themselves needed to achieve them.

Society Treasurer Ric Ricards and Scholarship Chairperson Bonnie Duplessis presided over the presentation of awards. The first four recipients were Nevaeh Bush of Hayward High, Carlos Sutton of James Logan High, Thomas Tilly of Newark Memorial High, and Nia Owens of Washington High.

Jean Ficklin’s late husband was a strong supporter of Jean and the Society until his passing in 2011. He is remembered by the Herman Ficklin Memorial Scholarship, which was awarded to Christian Ratliff and Kailyn Oldham, both of James Logan.

Charter Society member and educator Doris Rutland and Lifetime Member Janice Wilkinson Morris are remembered with memorial scholarships as well; those went to Sophia Kyana of Mt. Eden High and Skylar Everett of Ohlone Community College, respectively.

AACHS President Sandra Smith gave the closing remarks, urging students to stay in touch with the Society and to use its network as a support and a resource as they venture into t
he world.

Fremont’s Chief of Police Sean Washington emceed the event, and the Oaktown Jazz Workshop provided entertainment. A light lunch and refreshments catered by Ayanna Smith (a 2011 Scholarship recipient) were served with the help of members of Boy Scout Troop 176.

The scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,500. The Society has been providing such support since 1976, the year it became an official non-profit. Treasurer Ricards said that since 1976, 201 scholarships have been given, totaling just over $240,000.

When interviewed, Mrs. Ficklin was asked what she believed was the Society’s greatest strength, to which she replied, “the focus on sharing our culture and history. By doing that,” she continued, “we endeavor to support our students in their educational goals and to embrace the community of which they are a part.” Will there be fifty more years? “In order to carry on,” states Ficklin, “we need new members, young members to join us. Some of us have been doing this a long time.”

Membership is open to all. To find out more, visit the AACHS website at https://aachstricity.org/